Transcription

1 Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord: From Publication to Implementation Shortly after I began work staffing the USCCB Subcommittee on Lay Ministry, Commonweal had a cartoon which I clipped out and put on my bulletin board. It was a simple bookshelf with a small vase of flowers and two bookends holding two books, one at least six times the size of the other. The larger book was labeled Questions; and the smaller one Answers. I mention that cartoon, not simply to suggest that we ve made some progress toward answering some of the questions, but also because I want to use two bookends for this talk, both of them anecdotes that happened in the course of the ten years that the bishops were working on Co- Workers. The first happened after I d been there maybe three or four years. I met a bishop in whose diocese I had worked many years ago. He asked how this work was going. I responded, Well, OK, but it s slow. I sometimes console myself by remembering that it took the Church a couple of centuries to work out ordained priesthood, so I shouldn t be surprised that it s taking 30 years to figure out lay ecclesial ministry. He looked at me a little wistfully and said What makes you think we ve worked out priesthood? That s a bookend that should be kept in mind as we consider all that follows. Let me begin looking at the implementation of Co-Workers by citing that most current and least authoritative source of information: a google search. The last time I looked, Co- Workers produced 9,930 entries. Lay Ecclesial Ministry, on the other hand, produced close to 16,000 entries! That is a distinct accomplishment. I remember when people used to glaze over when the term was used. It is not a phrase that comes trippingly off the tongue. I don t think I know any bishop, or theologian for that matter, who would not prefer a different term, but it has not been possible yet to come up with one that better describes the essence of what they are talking about. Co-Workers, on p. 11 explains: The ministry is lay because it is service done by lay persons. The sacramental basis is the Sacraments of Initiation, not the Sacrament of Ordination. The ministry is ecclesial because it has a place within the community of the Church, whose communion and mission it serves and because it is submitted to the discernment, authorization, and supervision of the hierarchy. Finally, it is ministry because it is a participation in the threefold ministry of Christ, who is priest, prophet, and king. 1

2 When the bishops were working on Co-Workers, they recognized that it would not have the force of law as do the other documents on formation, The Plan for Priestly Formation and the Diaconate Directory. I remember the late Bishop Joe Delaney of Fort Worth, who served as chair of the Subcommittee, saying it would have the weight of its own internal authority, not the force of particular law. They also decided that the tone of the document would be invitational and reflective rather than prescriptive or dogmatic. Notice even the subtitle it is a resource to guide; not a law to be observed. Attractive as that is, it makes implementation a matter of choice, not obligation. On the other hand, this is a resource which was approved by the full conference and I believe that giving someone such a resource, even giving it ever so gently, is giving someone a challenge. So, who is challenged? The bishops are at the top of the list, both as those responsible for their own dioceses and as a conference guiding the development of lay ecclesial ministry in the United States. It is the responsibility of the bishop to identify those within his diocese whom he considers lay ecclesial ministers. The document is helpful, giving the characteristics of such individuals, (p.10 Authorization by the hierarchy to serve publicly in the local church; Leadership in a particular area of ministry; Close mutual collaboration with the pastoral ministry of bishops, priests and deacons; Preparation and formation appropriate to the level of responsibilities assigned). These characteristics are helpful, but they are by no means a simple template, like ordination or vows, Bishops are making the decision about who is to be designated a lay ecclesial minister in various ways. Let me admit up front, that there are some dioceses where it appears that no decisions are being made and the document is being quietly ignored. I heard recently about a bishop who told someone that he had voted against the document, but now would have to respond since it had been approved. There are many dioceses where the term lay minister and lay ecclesial minister are used interchangeably, although Co-Workers attempts to distinguish between them on the basis of the four characteristics just mentioned and the acknowledgment that lay ecclesial ministers are frequently employed by the church on a full or part-time basis and often have a sense of being called by God to this ministry. Let me give a couple of examples. For several years now, the Archdiocese of Chicago has recognized as lay ecclesial ministers all those who serve as pastoral associates or directors of religious education. The cardinal assembles those individuals, their parish communities and their

3 families for a liturgical celebration in which he publicly acknowledges their vocation to lay ecclesial ministry. Just last week, the diocese of San Jose held its first recognition ceremony. The bishop, using ministry within the worshipping community as the framework for his designation, brought together the pastoral associates, directors or coordinators of religious education, master catechists. directors of youth ministry, directors of liturgy, directors of RCIA, pastoral care coordinators, parish life coordinators, the chaplain for detention ministry and the director of the catholic campus center at the state university. They celebrated morning prayer together, joined by their parish communities and families; the bishop designated them as lay ecclesial ministers within the diocese, and presented them with pins with that name and the diocesan crest. You may have seen the March 15 issue of Origins in which Archbishop Elden Curtiss of Omaha has an article titled Lay Leadership and Lay Ecclesial Ministry. He identifies the following roles for authorization as lay ecclesial ministers: pastoral associates, catholic school principals, directors of religious education, directors of youth ministry, directors of adult faith formation, campus ministers, directors of liturgy, directors of liturgical music and directors and program coordinators within archdiocesan organizations. 2 You may have noticed that the two lists are not identical something Co-Workers anticipates when it assigns to the bishop or his delegate, the responsibility, in accord with the norms of canon law, to identify the roles that most clearly exemplify lay ecclesial ministry. The document continues, Application of the term may vary from diocese to diocese. 3 What is important to the bishops as a group and to the community of lay ecclesial ministers is that designations are being made. The recognition of the call to lay ecclesial ministry is being celebrated in a public way. Once that designation is made, a secondary, but not insignificant, challenge for the bishop is his need to consider how the diocese provides for the formation, authorization, and integration of these lay ecclesial ministers. The diocese of Austin, TX, for example, has instituted an on-line formation program with the goal of having a minimum of three lay ecclesial ministers with a master s degree in each of it 10 deaneries, There are specific as well as general suggestions for the bishops in this regard: for example, the section on Agents of Formation (p.52) states that regular communication between diocesan representatives and those institutions preparing lay ecclesial ministers is particularly desirable. In the section on Pathways, (p.32)the document states that some institutions rely on

4 the diocese to supplement what they provide for their students, just as some dioceses rely on the institutions to provide academic preparation for prospective lay ecclesial ministers. We encourage such collaborative arrangements, avoiding a costly and unnecessary multiplication of Church services. Your own collaboration with the archdiocese is a model. I was in Portland, ME last week and the bishop there was expressing his great pleasure that the one Catholic college in the state has just announced that they are introducing both an undergraduate and graduate program to prepare people for ecclesial ministry. For the bishops as a conference, there are also challenges to be found in the conclusion, where they state (p.67) that within the next five years it will be helpful to revisit the material here and refine it in the light of our experience. They also indicate the need for a more through study of our theology of vocation and acknowledge that this document could not address the request for a common title for those appointed under C (According to CARA, there are no fewer than 37 titles such persons throughout the US.) The next group to be resourced or challenged are those who are responsible for ministry formation programs. The section on formation provides guidance for program and curriculum development; if bishops use it to evaluate candidates to be authorized as lay ecclesial ministers it may become even more significant. Articulation between diocesan programs and graduate programs is critical, as is continued reflection on the relationship of certification and authorization. A third group to be challenged by Co-Workers are the priests (bishop during discussion) There are repeated calls for collaboration and mutual respect, while also acknowledgement of the distinct role of the ordained (p.20,21,23,24) and the pastor. Along with the priests are the deacons. Co-workers is careful to acknowledge the sacramental basis of their ministry and comments that (P.25) Deacons and lay ecclesial ministers often work together as members of parish staffs under the direction of the pastor. The mutual respect and close collaboration of lay ecclesial ministers and deacons in this setting and in all pastoral endeavors can be a wonderful witness to the one communion and mission that binds all disciples together in Christ. Lay ecclesial ministers themselves could also be challenged by Co-Workers. Along with the several expressions of gratitude and affirmation, lay ministers are reminded of the need to accept their public role in the Church (p.25) By virtue of their call, lay ecclesial ministers take

5 on a new relationship to the mission of the Church and to the other ministers who work to accomplish it. Therefore, they must be persons who are known for a genuine love for the whole Catholic Church, who exist in full communion of heart and mind with the pope as successor of Peter, and whose ecclesial identity is shaped by obedience to the bishop of the diocese and to the universal magisterium and is expressed by generous collaboration with ordained and other lay ecclesial ministers alike. That notion is repeated in a somewhat gentler tone in the section on spiritual formation ( p. 41): Lay ecclesial ministers serve publicly in the local church, so they need to accept this role with fidelity and loyalty and be able to fulfill it with integrity, fully versed in authentic Church teaching, supportive of it, able to defend it, and present it with clarity. Spiritual formation can help persons discern if this calling is for them, embrace it with joy if it is, or move on in peace if it is not. Parishioners, especially those on parish and finance councils, can also find challenges in the document. The goals for the preparation of lay ecclesial ministers should be kept in mind when staff positions are created or evaluated. The document s comments about compensation and support for on-going formation also have significant implications for parish finance councils and for each of us especially when the offertory collection is gathered. Those are some of the challenges to be found within Co-Workers. Let s look at what else has been happening since the document was first printed in December It is currently in its third printing with over 14,000 copies sold. It s available on the USCCB web site as well as related resources. There is a Spanish version on the web site and I understand that the Publishing Office and the Secretariat for Hispanic Affairs are editing and formatting that version in preparation for disseminating a Spanish print edition. The USCCB Committee on the Laity, the parent committee of the subcommittee which produced Co-Workers, is pursuing three general strategies to foster implementation at local levels. The first is to promote the document and develop resources to accompany it. Examples of this include collaboration with the National Association for Lay Ministry in preparing A Study Guide for Co-Workers, (a guide initiated by a group of offices of the Archdiocese of Detroit) and a power point presentation that outlines and explains Co-Workers which will be available for down loading. Laity Committee staff also worked with Ministry Training Source to develop a

6 four-session online course based on the content of Co-Workers. Seven dioceses began offering the course last month. The second strategy of the Committee is to collaborate with dioceses and groups on projects. Several associations and committee staff have been working with St. John s College in Collegeville to design a National Symposium on Lay Ecclesial Ministry to be held this summer at Collegeville. The Religious Education Department of NCEA newsletter for parish catechetical directors has featured a series of four articles on Co-Workers. Both the National Association for Lay Ministry and the Association of Graduate Programs in Ministry devoted their annual meetings to Co-Workers. The National Association of Pastoral Musicians devoted an issue of their bi-monthly journal to Co-Workers. Four associations, NALM, NCCL, NFCYM, and NPM, are working together on a revision of their standards for certification so that they more completely reflect Co-Workers. The third strategy of the committee has been to respond to invitations and opportunities to speak about the document. Those opportunities have included academic symposia like this one, diocesan gatherings of pastoral associates, meetings of the presbyterate of a diocese, gatherings of parish staffs, and groups as diverse as the National Council of Catholic Women and the Apostleship of the Sea which brings together those priests, deacons and lay ministers who serve seafarers in the name of the Church. They have taken place from Boston to San Jose, from Maine and now to Texas. Co-Workers has been received by the vast majority of the people participating in these sessions as what the bishops intended: an affirmation of lay ecclesial ministers and a guide for its development that is consistent with the theological and doctrinal tradition of the church and that responds to contemporary and local needs. With the exception of the National Council of Catholic Women, the gatherings just referred to are of folks who come with a definite interest in the document. I heard recently of another group that went beyond that. Sister Maria Riley, OP, who coordinates the Global Women s Project at the Center of Concern in Washington, was invited to deliver the John Henry Newman Lecture at the Oratory in South Carolina. Invited to speak about the social mission of the Church, Maria did that in the morning lecture reflecting on the universal call of all the People of God to engage in the social mission of the Church. For the afternoon lecture she focused on Co-Workers, noting that the document emphasizes lay ecclesial ministry as the work of the Spirit, not as a solution to a personnel gap,

7 and citing the emergence of lay leadership as one of the most vital signs of the times in our Church. I mention all that because it s the first experience I ve heard of where Co-Workers was discussed and gratefully received by ordinary Church folk who don t already have an interest in the document. I recently read that in the early days of Vatican II, one observer commented that in its two thousand year history, the Church has been described, not so much by verbal definitions as in the light of images. 4 That reminded me of the work of Michael Downey who suggests what he terms iconicity as a way of understanding the distinctiveness of diverse ministries. He reminds us that In the Christian spiritual traditions, an icon does not so much represent or stand for another, invisible reality, but rather discloses, manifests, or conveys that reality in and through itself.in the diverse ministries of the Church something of the nature of the whole Church and its mission is disclosed. 5 For the ordained priest, Downey offers the icon of the Church s pondering heart inasmuch as the priest s most important ministry is opening the Scriptures and breaking the Bread in a way that allows all present, by the gift first given in Baptism, to behold the Body of Christ and the gift/ing of the Spirit in their midst. 6 For the lay ecclesial minister, he offers the icon of the Church ad-vent-ing, reminding his readers that The flourishing of gifts among the laity, in unprecedented numbers and in unforeseen ways is a reminder that the Church is always coming to be, participating in the mission of Word and Spirit in a particular time and place.the Lord is in our midst no less than on the road to Emmaus, as the Church is yet coming to be in its fullness. 7 And that brings us to the second bookend. Early on in the years the Subcommittee was developing Co-Workers, I heard the Jesuit theologian, Michael Himes speculate about the future. He acknowledged that the astro- physicists and other scientists see no indication that our universe is coming to an end soon and reminded us of Christ s promise that the Spirit will be with the Church until the end of time. He then envisioned a time when one Catholic might ask another, Vatican II - was that before or after the Council of Chalcedon? Co-Workers was never intended as the final word on lay ecclesial ministry. Rather it was a platform, a well-grounded platform, but a platform, from which the bishops, theologians, the Church itself could continue to reflect on the development of lay ecclesial ministry,

Working in the Vineyard of the Lord: A National Symposium on Lay Ecclesial Ministry St. John s University, Collegeville, MN August 2, 2007 Raising Expectation in the Ministerial Workplace Michael Brough,

Dialogue with bishops, leaders of professional organizations, and other lay ecclesial ministers may further the goals of Co-Workers. Co-Workers identified lay ecclesial ministers as those who possess a

PARISH LIFE COORDINATOR I. INTRODUCTION There have been many changes in the Catholic Church as a result of Vatican II. One of the areas undergoing rapid change is that of ministry within the Church, both

National Association of Diaconate Directors and Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate National Survey of U.S. Permanent Deacons This survey gathers information on the attitudes and ministries of

PRESS CONFERENCE Diocese of Jefferson City 21 November 2017 Remarks Rev. W. Shawn McKnight, S.T.D. Bishop-Elect of Jefferson City Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever! Before I begin introducing myself,

The Parish Pastoral Council Its Functions and Relationship To Other Parish Bodies 1 The Pastoral Council is Pastoral 2 Call of the Baptized There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;

UNITY in COMMUNION and MISSION GENERAL PLAN Diocese of San Diego 2008 1 This General Plan is intended to provide direction for the Diocese of San Diego and all of its parish faith communities toward UNITY

n The Formation of Permanent Deacons in the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter 7730 Westview, Houston, Texas 77055 713.609.9292 www.ordinariate.net Introduction The Formation of Permanent Deacons

Sacraments and Worship Christ acts in and through the Church. Through ritual actions and sacred signs, the church celebrates the paschal Mystery by which God redeems us and makes us holy. Through the grace

I. Pastor s Vision Statement As we look to the future, St. Anthony s Parish should strive for a vision that aligns with the universal mission of the Church. We must become ever more focused on our primary

2017 CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP APPEAL APPEAL-FUNDED MINISTRIES Contributions are restricted to the annual $7.7 million Catholic Stewardship Appeal for use in four key areas of ministry: serving families, strengthening

The Day on Which We Gather Guidelines for Sunday Eucharist Cardinal Roger M. Mahony Archbishop of Los Angeles Holy Thursday March 31, 1988 The purpose of these Guidelines is to assist the clergy and people

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The privilege and responsibility to oversee and foster the pastoral life of the Diocese of Rockville Centre belongs to me as your Bishop and chief shepherd. I share

Professional Formation The voice of the Spirit, which Jesus, on behalf of the Father, has communicated to his disciples, resounds in the very events of history. Behind the changing data of present situations

Guidelines for Continuing Formation for Permanent Deacons Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts 1. INTRODUCTION As Deacons of the diocese of Fall River, we recognize the need for continuing intellectual,

Diocesan Guidelines for Parish Pastoral Councils Diocese of San Jose, CA Introduction. Vatican II called on all Catholics to recognize and respond to their vocation to ministry. This call includes an invitation

Guidelines for Parish Pastoral Councils Diocese of Rockford Originally published September 23, 1999 Introductory Statement 1. Diocese of Rockford Directive 2. What is a Pastoral Council? 3. The Nature,

DIOCESE OF SACRAMENTO PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL GUIDELINES October 2013 DIOCESE OF SACRAMENTO PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL GUILDELINES THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH The Church is the living body of Christ in which

Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate Summary. Georgetown University Report. Washington, D.C. Serving Dioceses, Parishes and Religious Communities Since 1964 Spring 2000 Priests of the Archdiocese

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 10 Frequently Asked QUESTIONS ABOUT the Reservation of PRIESTLY ORDINATION to Men A PASTORAL RESPONSE BY THE COMMITTEE ON DOCTRINE OF THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE

23 CRITICAL ISSUES LAITY FOR By LEONARD DOOHAN I 987 IS THE YEAR of the laity. Dioceses throughout the world are using this time to launch renewal programmes, layformation programmes, lay-ministry training

Archdiocese of New Orleans Catechist Certification Program (ACCP) Contents 1. Philosophy 2. Who Needs to be Certified? 3. Why Do I Need Certification Courses? 4. Getting Started 5. The Certification Process

April 2010 A Portrait of the Permanent Diaconate: A Study for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops 2009-2010 Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate Georgetown University Washington, DC A Portrait

The Bishop as Servant of Catholic Renewal A Pastoral Letter to the People of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion from Peter Elder Hickman, Presiding Bishop Where the Bishop is, there let the multitude of

DIOCESE OF DALLAS Parish Pastoral Council Guidelines!"21'3' GUIDELINES PARISH PASTORAL COUNCILS for the DIOCESE OF DALLAS!"21'4' GUIDELINES for PARISH PASTORAL COUNCILS for the DIOCESE OF DALLAS Article

The following excerpt is from the Ontario Catholic Elementary Curriculum Policy Document for Religious Education, 2012 and is reprinted here with permission from the Institute for Catholic Education. The

Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary Actual Apostolic Projection 2010 Our Apostolic Charism To be ardent witnesses to the power and fecundity of love and the splendor of the Magisterium and

The Discernment Process for Ordination to the Priesthood in the Diocese of Washington Introduction All Christians are called to ministry by the Holy Spirit who calls us and empowers us to serve. One ministry

Disciples: Established, Anointed, and Sent in Christ A Synod of the Archdiocese of Winnipeg 2016 2018 Most Reverend Richard Gagnon Archbishop of Winnipeg Introduction The Archdiocese of Winnipeg has now

The Sacrament of Confirmation for Youth A White Paper 1 from the Diocese of Dallas A Statement from the Office of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministries, the Department of Catechetical Services, the

Becoming a Deacon Guide for deacons in formation in the Diocese of Louisiana CANON III.6 By entering you into the formal discernment process, the church starts you on the road to ordination as a deacon.

Bulletin Articles on 20/20 Plan By Fr. Peter Berger Article I I wanted to take some time over the next few bulletins to bring you up to speed on the Archdiocesan Planning Process which has been underway

LIFE NIGHT OUTLINE Goal for the Life Night This life night will help teens understand why Holy Orders is a vocation and how the vocation is lived out. This night will also give teens a chance to hear the

Session 1: Catechist Certification Overview Kino Institute Who is a Catechist? John Paul II s Catechesi Tradendae (CT), The General Directory for Catechesis (GDC) and the National Directory for Catechesis

Draft - November 2000 Guidelines Concerning the Academic Mandatum in Catholic Universities (canon 812) Preface On November 17, 1999, the Catholic Bishops of the Unites States approved The Application of

Sacrament of Holy Orders: Priesthood in Transition by Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M., Th.D. Is it harder to be a priest today than it used to be? A parishioner who was wondering why there are fewer priests

Commission on Ministry Guidelines for a Discernment Committee GUIDELINES FOR A DISCERNMENT COMMITTEE The Episcopal Diocese of Arkansas The following guidelines have been developed to help the Church and

Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate Georgetown University Washington, DC A Portrait of the Permanent Diaconate: A Study for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops 2012-2013 June 2013 Mary L.

III. THE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2011-2016 To address the findings and implications of the research, the Steering Committee proposes the following plan for the 2011-2016 time period. Governing Theme, Overall

DIOCESAN GUIDELINES FOR FIRST PENANCE AND FIRST EUCHARIST CATECHESES Catechesis prior to First Penance and First Eucharist Catechesis for Persons with Disabilities Catechesis for those who attend Catholic

HOLY ORDERS: Sacrament of Ministerial Service to God s People (CCC 1536-1600) In the Church s sacramental system, Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist are called sacraments of initiation; and Reconciliation

SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN St. Patrick School Washington, Illinois 2017-2018 Definition A plan created by the administration and faculty that involves practical actions which are integral to the life of

OFFER STRENGTHEN SUSTAIN THE ORIGINAL ORDER OF SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION: BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION, EUCHARIST Introduction In January 2016, Bishop Clarence Silva promulgated the new norms concerning the restoration

1 Parish Life Communication about Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan Each Parish Pastoral Council will communicate to all parishioners relevant information about the vision, directions, goals and objectives of

Overview and Explanation of the National Dialogue In the task of accompanying the younger generations, the Church accepts her call to collaboration in the joy of young people Such a service is ultimately

Ad Gentes 1 Introduction to the Summary The final vote at the Second Vatican Council on The Decree on the Church s Missionary Activity or, Ad Gentes Divinitus, ran 2,394 in favor to 5 opposed. One of the

Diocese of Cheyenne Diaconal Formation Program General Requirements and Expectations The requirements and expectations of men in the Diocese of Cheyenne s diaconal formation program shall normally comply

Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate Georgetown University Washington, DC New Sisters and Brothers Professing Perpetual Vows in Religious Life: The Profession Class of 2017 A Report to the Secretariat

Long Range Plan Summer 2011 Revised Fall 2012 & 2013 (Revisions in italics) St. Raphael the Archangel Parish is a diverse community of Catholic believers called by baptism to share in the Christian mission

Parish Working Document Template Introduction The main goal of the V Encuentro is to discern ways in which the Church in the United States can better respond to the Hispanic/Latino presence, and to strengthen

Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide 2014 Partnerships in Sacramental Catechesis THE PASTORAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE SACRAMENTAL CATECHESIS OF CHILDREN A Family-Centred, Parish-Based and School-Supported approach

Becoming Ministering Communities in Mission Formation for Deacons & Priests in Local Mission in the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle November 2010 Acceptance of a Candidate for Ordained Local Ministry Following

Lord, Source of All Gifts Lord and Source of All Gifts, we, your people, rejoice in the fullness of Your generosity. We thank you for those whose lives are visible signs of your love and blessing to others.

We are the Catholic Church in Northern Nevada: Diocese of Reno A diocese is a portion of the People of God which is entrusted to a bishop to be shepherded by him with the cooperation of the presbyterate.

GROW Toolkit Version 2.0 March 2014 Dear Pastor and Parish Leaders: You are holding a guide to GROW, a pastoral planning process that is intended to build upon the foundation of the benefits of the pastoral

RENEW MY CHURCH Called by Jesus Christ, we are making disciples, building communities and inspiring witness. Dear Friends, In 1205, while praying in the Church of San Damiano, St. Francis heard the Lord

December 2011 The Profession Class of 2011: Survey of Women and Men Religious Professing Perpetual Vows Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate Georgetown University Washington, DC The Profession

Catechetical Formation Program 2016-2017 2012 2012 2012-2013 - - 2013 2013 Diocese Diocese of of of of Nashville Nashville In collaboration In In collaboration with with with In collaboration with Like

Getting Up To Today An Online Religious Studies Program for Catholics A Foundational Reflection and Study of the Catholic Faith Through the Wisdom and Vision of the Second Vatican Council Program Goals

Standards for Catechetical Excellence In the Diocese of Gary It s hard to believe that summer is drawing to a close and so it is time to extend our invitation to all our PCLs/DRE/sCREs, youth ministers,

WEST PORTLAND / SUBURBS Catechesis Work on one aspect annually from different levels. Encourage, get all involved in catechesis. Resources, ideas Teachers meet together to review successful techniques.

+ BISHOP RICHARD JOHN GARCIA Priest for the Archdiocese of San Francisco 1973 -- 1981 Priest of the Diocese of San Jose 1981 -- 1997 Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Sacramento 1997 2006 Bishop of the

Archdiocese of Washington Map of the Archdiocese of Washington Page A-1 History of the Archdiocese of Washington Catholicism was brought to Maryland in 1634 when Jesuit Father Andrew White celebrated the

WEST PORTLAND / SUBURBS Church acoustics make it hard for hearing impaired / elderly to hear. Assess parish acoustics and make appropriate changes. Advice to churches on how to improve their acoustics.